Alperen Sengun has missed six straight games for the Houston Rockets after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 ankle sprain. In fact, the issue is considered a season-ending injury for the 21-year-old as the Rockets look to get him ready for the start of 2024-25.
At the moment, however, Houston is in the midst of a blistering run that now has them just one game behind the Golden State Warriors for the 10th and final Play-In spot in the Western Conference. This rather unexpected development suddenly has the team reconsidering their plans for Sengun amid what could be an unanticipated playoff run.
Will Alperen Sengun Return to Action for Houston Rockets This Season?
According to ESPN insider Tim MacMahon, there is now a chance that the Rockets decide to bring Sengun back in the mix for one final push for a Play-In spot:
“It’s within the realm of possibility that Sengun could return during the regular season,” MacMahon said (h/t Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire). “He avoided a major injury, but it’s a significant sprain. We kind of assumed he’d be done for the season because they wouldn’t have anything to place for.
“I was told there’s a very real chance that it could come down to, late in the regular season, ‘Hey, does it make sense to bring him back?’ Obviously, the number one thing is going to be, ‘Is he cleared, medically?’ … They’re not going to bring him back if they’re not playing for something, but they’re putting themselves in a position to be playing for something.”
This is obviously a significant decision for the Rockets as they look to pounce on Golden State’s recent slump. Houston is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now after winning eight straight games, and they have a real chance of surpassing the Dubs for the final Play-In spot out West.
You can be sure, however, that the Rockets fully understand how important Sengun is going to be for them in the long run. This young man has the makings of a potential cornerstone star, and Houston’s front office likely won’t risk bringing him back this season unless he is 100% healthy.
The last thing they want right now is for the 6-foot-11 center to suffer a reaggravation of the injury that could have long-term effects on what is looking like a very promising future.
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